LEAPS Summer Fellows
a summer funding opportunity for service-learning students
2015 Application
Receive a stipend up to $1000 to expand a project you started with a community partner in
Durham, or work on a thematically related project in a location of your choice— from your
hometown to a destination abroad. The LEAPS team is happy to meet with you about your
project and assist you along the way, but LEAPS fellows must take the lead in designing their
own project, arranging their own housing and transportation, and handling other logistics.
About Us
LEAPS (Learning through Experience, Action, Partnership and Service) is a student group that
serves as a consultant to the Service-Learning Program and an advocate for service-learning to
students and faculty. We accomplish this mission in part through facilitating peer reflection
sessions in service-learning courses. Further, we lead initiatives to highlight and promote quality
service-learning, deepen our understanding of the outcomes of service-learning, and contribute to
service and civic-engagement communities on campus.
Eligibility
All Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Duke undergraduate students in good standing who have
taken at least one service-learning course in any department. Graduating seniors are not eligible.
Students may receive funding from other sources in addition to this grant.
Requirements
● Minimum duration of three consecutive weeks
● Must relate to a previously taken course designated as service-learning
● Regular reflection posts to a LEAPS Summer Fellows blog during project
● Following the fellowship in the 2015-2016 school year, students must complete a
reflection project of their choice, approved by LEAPS— examples include an
independent study course, organizing a campus event, instructing a house course, writing
a policy report, or creative reflection piece involving multimedia (video, music, etc.)
● Fellows are also expected to attend one Service-Learning faculty and or departmental
event in the fall semester
Name:
Unique ID:
Year:
Email Address:
Phone number:
Are you presently studying abroad, or do you intend to be abroad during the 2015-2016
academic year?
Project Title:
Project Location:
1. Define what service-learning means to you. (Suggested length: 100 words)
2.Which service-learning course(s) inspired your proposed project? What were your
learning outcomes and greatest challenges? (Suggested length: 150 words)
3. Describe your proposed project, your approach, and potential outcomes. What course
or life experiences have helped prepare you for this project? (Suggested length: 200 words)
4. Explain your proposed location and why your topic is relevant to that particular place.
How does your proposed project represent a need, and how have you engaged your partner
in defining the need? (Suggested length: 200 words)
5. Describe a time where you have had a leadership position, a job, or an independent
project. How did you keep yourself organized and accountable? What were your proudest
accomplishments? (Suggested length: 150 words)
6. Create a timetable of your proposed project and the goals you wish to accomplish each
week.
Week #
1
2
3
Description of Activity, Goals, etc.
4
5
7. What type of reflection project would you imagine completing during the 2015- 2016
academic year? (Applicants do NOT have to choose a definite reflection project at this
time. Fellows can decide a reflection project of their choosing after completing their
summer project.)
8. Please prepare an itemized budget of estimated living and project expenses. Examples
can include and are not limited to food, housing, transportation, supplies, and other project
necessities. Proposed Budget (Attach additional information if necessary).
Item
Total
Cost Estimate
9. Have you applied/plan to apply to other funding sources? List here:
10. Amount of summer funding already received (if any):
11.Please list a community partner who has agreed to sponsor your application.
Sponsorship means the community partner has reviewed your project and supports the
feasibility of said project as well as your own personal ability to successfully implement
your proposal.
Final Deadline: April 10 at 5 P.M.
Notification Date: April 17
Please email your completed application to sikariad@gmail.com.
Put “LEAPS Summer Fellows [your name]” in the subject of the document.
Contact Raj Sikaria at sikariad@gmail.com with any questions.